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This is a sermon based on 1 Peter 5:10 concerning the topic of suffering and the coming glory after this life is over.
Written Excerpts:
1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Introduction:
There are a couple of other verses of Scripture that I would like to
read as part of the introduction to this message.
1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV) Beloved,
do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you;
John 16:33 (NKJV) These
things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Both of these references
highlight the point that it’s not a question of IF we will suffer and experience
tribulation, but WHEN we do.
Our Grove City Ministerium met this past Wednesday and during our Bible
study discussion, the subject of suffering came up.
One of the pastors talked about seeing an interview on TV between an
American reporter and a man from another part of the world who had recently
lost his legs in an act of violence.
Although, I don’t remember the details about who it was, where or why
it happened, etc. I recall that the pastor told how the reporter asked the man
if he ever “wondered where God was when this tragedy happened to him.”
The man gave the obvious appearance that he wasn’t sure what to say,
because he didn’t really understand the question.
“What do you mean, where was God?”
If I recall correctly, it was stated that the man then asked the
reporter if he was from America
One of the other pastors in our meeting spoke up in confirmation. He
had served one or more terms as a missionary in Africa
and possibly other countries. He affirmed that Christians in other parts of the
world take for granted that suffering is part of normal life experiences. It
doesn’t really occur to them that being a Christian means I should be exempt
from suffering.
In our culture, where we often enjoy such ease and comfort, (especially
when compared to the conditions of people in Third World countries), we often
fall prey to the idea that as long as God is with us and in control, then we
shouldn’t be experiencing tragedy, tribulation or suffering.
We must never forget, friends, that we live in a world that is under
the curse of sin. That means that tribulation, adversity, and suffering is a
common experience all through life, whether that comes through “natural
disasters,” “violence by depraved individuals, or disease and sickness.
The Apostle Peter is writing to Christian believers in the region of
Asia Minor that is now part of modern-day Turkey
He is probably writing around 62-64 AD, and he is writing to people
that either have already suffered persecution, or they will likely face
persecution in the future.
Cf. 1 Peter 1:6 (NKJV) In this you greatly rejoice, though
now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials,
1 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) But
even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are
blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." See
also, 4:12-19, mentioned above.
(Persecution was already a common experience of the Christians in Rome
I felt directed to this passage of scripture because of the difficult
circumstances that many of you have recently experienced or may still be
experiencing.
I want to take a brief look at this text in 1 Peter as a way to
encourage us for the journey ahead.
There are some important concepts about life and about suffering that
are implied in this verse which we should take into consideration as we try to
make sense of our common experiences.
I. There is a heavenly Father in control.
II. There is a temporary and an eternal perspective.
III. There is a plan with a goal.
I. There is a heavenly Father
in control.
“The God of all grace;” “has called us”
Peter makes reference to God several times as a way of helping his
readers keep in mind that we’re not in this life alone, but God is walking by
our side.
A. Grace is His “commodity.”
In the immediate context (vv. 6-9) Peter has discussed various issues
like being humble before God and exalted by God; our arch-enemy, the devil, and
his design to destroy and ruin us; and our common sufferings with other
believers around the world.
He wants us to know that God is out there and more importantly, He has all
the grace we need for every situation we face.
“My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
“He giveth more grace.” (Jas. 4:6)
B. He “calls us.”
In other words, He is directing our lives and our circumstances.
There may be times when we face situations when it feels as though God
must be a million miles away and doesn’t know or care about us.
But, Peter certainly implies here that God is calling us to an ultimate
and final goal (which we’ll talk more about in a moment), and that calling
leads us along various paths and through various situations. Nothing is
accidental; nothing is unredeemable.
II. There is both a temporary
and eternal perspective.
In this verse there are two words in the Greek that have reference to
“time.” The first one is translated “eternal,” and the second word is
translated “little while.”
In the original Greek it seems even more likely that Peter meant for us
to notice the contrast because of the way that the words sound in Greek. One is
the word “αιωνιον” (similar to our English word, “eon”) and the other is
“ολιγον.”
One stresses the permanent; the other stresses the temporary.
Another passage that expresses a similar truth is… 2 Cor. 4:17
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV) For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
The problem with us in our humanity is that the temporary, which is
now, seems to overshadow the permanent, which is sometime in the future.
I’m convinced that the Devil deliberately tries to get every one of us
to place higher priority on the temporary over the permanent.
This is not only true with regard to suffering, but it is also true and
perhaps especially true with good times and blessings.
But, dear friends, we must always remember that this life is only
temporary, regardless of whether we are going through tribulations or
experiencing joy and happiness.
Peter clearly wants his readers to understand that in spite of the
trials they may face in this world, they are only temporary, but glory is
eternal!
In comparison to what God has in store for His children, the suffering
in this world is only “for a little while.”
(That’s a whole lot easier to talk about than it is to practice.)
III. There is a plan with a
goal.
Finally, I want to point out that this verse shows that Peter understands
the fact that God is definitely leading each of us to an ultimate goal, and
that involves a tailor-made plan for us to get there.
We already mentioned earlier the words, “hath called us unto his eternal
glory…”
That is the goal.
But, what is the plan? What is involved between now and then?
It is to “make you perfect, establish, strengthen, [and]
settle you.”
“make you perfect” - The fundamental meaning is to put a thing in
its appropriate condition, mend…. (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study
Dictionary)
“establish” - To set fast, to fix firmly…. (Spiros Zodhiates, The
Complete Word Study Dictionary);
set a solid foundation (Wuest)
“strengthen” – Only used here in NT. More commonly used with the prefix
which means “NOT strong,” i.e. sick, infirm (Zodhiates). Thus, to be healthy,
or able to endure.
“settle” - Cause all to rest so evenly and firmly upon the best
and surest foundation…. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)
Hebrews 13:21 (NKJV) 21
make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in
you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be
glory forever and ever. Amen.
Which brings us back again to
the goal… the end result is: “his eternal glory”
Over and over throughout the NT, we are reminded that there is GLORY
awaiting each of us who trust in Christ and live out our faith in obedience;
letting Him develop his plan within us.
Paul said in Romans 8:18 (NKJV) For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
It almost seems like he is
intending to stress – the greater the
suffering is, the greater the glory will be.
I’ve have used this text for some funerals in the past and I have
stated that these words were written by a man that had experienced tremendous
suffering for Christ, and he had also seen glimpses of heaven (caught up to the
third heaven), so he knew what he was talking about.
God has indescribable glory awaiting us! Let us be faithful.
Conclusion:
I’ve decided not to close with the song that is listed in the bulletin.
I want to read the words of another familiar song that isn’t in our
hymnals, then I think we can sing the chorus together.
WHEN WE SEE CHRIST
Oft times the day
seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to
complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will son
appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.
Sometimes the sky
looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and
driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is One in
heaven who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem just go to Him in prayer.
Life’s day will
soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the
great divide to glory, safe at last.
We’ll share the
joys of heaven a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.
Chorus:
It will be worth it
all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will
seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His
dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race
‘til we see Christ.
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